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Between commuting to work or school, running errands and taking road trips on the weekend, you probably spend plenty of time in your car. None of us know what the future might hold, and it’s always possible that you will need to drive your car a long distance on short notice. It’s also possible that you could get stuck in your car for many hours or even days due to an emergency, accident or bad weather.
It’s a good idea to keep these items in your glove box:
1. Plastic Bags
Keeping a few plastic grocery bags in your glove box is always a good idea. They don’t take up much space, you probably have plenty of them lying around, and they have many convenient uses, such as disposing of trash or wrapping dirty engine tools to store for later.
2. Hand Sanitizer
There is nothing worse than being unable to wash your hands because you’re stuck in the car. Nothing can compare to a good scrub down, but if you’re left with no other option, cleaning up with hand sanitizer is a lot better than feeling sticky. Not only that, but it can also protect you from illness.
3. A Pen and Mini Notebook
In a world of Internet and smart phones, we often forget how useful a simple pen and paper can be. In case your phone ever dies, you might be glad to have these items in your glove box. Having the ability to write can help you jot down notes, addresses, phone numbers or anything else you might need.
4. Medical Information
If you were to be left unconscious as a result of an accident, it would be very helpful to have important medical information somewhere in the car. This includes any medical conditions you may have, any allergies, any medications you might be taking and anything else you can think of that may be of importance. When this information is found by the assisting team of emergency personnel, it will help ensure they are able to give you the best treatment possible.
5. Emergency Contact Numbers
If you were to be knocked unconscious, the emergency responders would need to know who to call. You probably already have a list of friends and family members saved in your phone, but what if your phone was to become broken during the accident? It can’t hurt to have a back-up plan.
6. Proof of Insurance
Keeping proof of insurance in your car is likely something you already do, but many people forget the importance of carrying this information. Hopefully, you never have to use it, but if you were to get into an accident, you would be very happy to have everything you need right there with you. Driving without proof of insurance is against the law, so be sure not to skip this one!
7. Your Owner’s Manual
The longer you own your car, the more likely it is that you will need your owner’s manual from time to time. Keeping it in your car is a good way to ensure that you don’t end up feeling foolish and lost when you need to perform simple maintenance or check what type of fluid your car requires. Don’t count on looking it up on your smart phone. You could be caught without a signal.
8. A Flashlight
What would happen if you were to experience a flat tire on a dark road in the middle of the night? Without a flashlight, fixing even a simple problem could be borderline impossible. There is also always the chance that you crash and need to walk a long distance in the dark. Aside from the flashlight itself, make sure you also pack fresh batteries.
9. An Emergency Prepaid Cell Phone
You never know when your regular phone might die, and in certain situations, you might find yourself very glad that you packed a back-up phone in your glove box. Always keep the phone inside a waterproof plastic bag in case of an accident that leaves the car partially submerged. Also, remember to turn it on every week or so to check whether or not it needs to be charged.
10. Non-Perishable Snack Foods and a Bottle of Water
If you were to become trapped in your car due to a blizzard or accident, snack foods and emergency water could potentially save your life. If nothing else, they could be convenient while waiting for a tow truck. Choose snacks that won’t go bad over time, such as sealed fruit and nut bars, candy and beef jerky.